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Below please find an annual list of special awareness dates celebrated provincially, nationally or internationally.  Please note that this is not a comprehensive listing.  Should you have an awareness date that should be included in our listing, please forward your suggestion to info@oarty.net

January

Days

January 27th: Family Literacy Day (National) 

February

Month

Black History Month (National)
Covenant House Month (Provincial) 
Psychology Month (National) 

Weeks

First Week: Eating Disorder Awareness Week (National)
First Week: White Cane Week (National)

Days

First Saturday: Safer Internet Day (International)
Last Wednesday: Pink Shirt Day (Anti-bullying) (National)


March

Month

National Nutrition Month (National)
National Social Work Month (National)

Days

March 1: Self-Injury Awareness Day (International)
3rd Tuesday: World Social Work Day (International) 
March 21: World Down Syndrome Day (International)

April

Weeks

Third Week: National Volunteer Week (National) 

Days

April 2: World Autism Day (International)
April 7: World Health Day (International)
April 20-22: Global Youth Service Days (International)


May

Month

Speech and Hearing Awareness Month (National)
Community Living Month (Provincial)
Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month (National) 
MS Awareness Month (National) 
Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month (National)

Weeks

First Week: Education Week (Provincial) 
First Week: National Mental Health Week (National)

Days

May 1: Belonging - National Day to End Bullying (National)  
May 12: Canada Health Day (National) 
May 14: Children and Youth in Care Day (Provincial)
May 15: International Day of Families (International)
May 17: International Day Against Homophobia (International) 
May 22-25: Aboriginal Awareness Week (National)
May 25: National Missing Children's Day (National)
May 25: World MS Day (International)


June

Month

Brain Injury Awareness Month (National) 
Deaf-Blind Awareness Month (Provincial)

Days

June 21: National Aboriginal Day (National)
June 27: Canadian Multiculturalism Day (National) 


July

Weeks

Third Week: National Drowning Prevention Week (National)

Days

July 1: Canada Day (National)


August

Days

August 9: International Day of the World's Indigenous People (International)


September

Month

Muscular Dystrophy Month (National) 

Days

September 9: FASD Awareness Day (International)
September 10: World Suicide Prevention Day (International)
September 30: Orange Shirt Day (In recognition of the harm done through the residential schools and the commitment to reconciliation) (International)


October

Month

Autism Awareness Month (National)
Child Abuse Prevention Month (National) 
Community Support Month (Provincial)
Learning Disabilities Awareness Month (National)

Weeks

October 6 - 12: Mental Illness Awareness Week (National)
The Week Before Thanksgiving: National Family Week (National)
October 14 - 20: YWCA Week Without Violence (National) 
October 17 - 23: National School Safety Week (National)
October 20 - 26: Foster Family Week (National)

Days

1st Wednesday: World Cerebral Palsy Day (International)  
October 10: World Mental Health Day (International)
Second Thursday: World Sight Day (International)
Second Saturday: World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (International) 
October 17: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (International) 


November

Month

Adoption Awareness Month (National)

Weeks

November 1 - 7: National Down Syndrome Awareness Week (National) 
Second Week: National Addiction Awareness Week (National) 
Third Week: Bullying Awareness Week (National) 
Third Week: Restorative Justice Week (National)

Days

November 11: Remembrance Day (National) 
November 16: International Day of Tolerance (International)
November 19: World Day for Prevention of Abuse and Violence against Children (International)
November 20: Universal Children's Day (International)


December

Days

December 3: United Nations International Day of Disabled Persons (International)
December 5: International Volunteer Day (International)